Jack Occie Evans

Emailed from Elder Tanner Redding (serving an LDS Mission in the Taichung/Taiwan mission): I was so sad to hear of Coach Evans' passing... He was an example to me. He was a friend to me. I remember everyday going up to practice and seeing him at the field in his wheelchair as happy as could be. He then would see me and say "there's my guy'' with a big ol smile on his face. I cannot tell you what that did for me. That is what life is about. He used his agency to be happy and to lift...

Jack, as I knew him in high school, was a really likeable guy. So, glad that he touched my life as he did to many others.
May Heavenly Father bless your family at this time. So, happy that he is reunited with his wife.

I met Occie up at the University of Utah dorms back in the early 70s. He the footballer, me the wrestler. Austin, Ballif and VanCott Halls were pretty much our entire universe during those years. Generally, the football players were a tight-knit group, but Occie had the unique gift of being to hang out with everybody. He was the voice of reason and a calm, reassuring source of comfort during those trying times for all of us athletes attempting to make the team or struggling with a loss. ...

Coach Evans both demanded and appreciated hard work from the football players he coached. I felt fortunate that he referred to me (and some other players) as his sons from time to time. He really sought to develop close relationships with his players.

The Bountiful High Football sidelines will never be the same! I spent 25 years on them doing stats. My husband doing the filming. Occie was the kindest, sweetest ever. And he was loved by my three sons while they played also. He will be sorely missed. Robyn and Terry Orchard

Jack, You were always a great man, your parents loved you so much and so did your bothers and sisters. I remember when growing up and you worked/owned a comic book store. I thought you were the coolest cousin in the world. You always helped my mom and dad. You continued to touch many lives. Thank you for continuing to be the perfect role model that started so many years ago.

Coach Occie was the only football coach who ever told me I was any good. In hindsight he probably lied, but he was convincing, and it meant the world to me as a 16 y.o. kid. I remember how fun he was to work with, and how he could laugh even during the toughest and most stressful moments of a football season.

Coach Evans was a great influence on me in High School. He was my history teacher and my baseball coach. He was a good man and mentor, with a great smile and sense of humor. No matter the day or circumstance, I knew Coach would make us smile, it was always a better day with Coach around.

Coach Evans will truly be missed. He was wonderful person and exceptional teacher/coach. He touched the lives of thousands of young men and women.